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AA Relay drivers accept new deal

14th June 2001, Page 7
14th June 2001
Page 7
Page 7, 14th June 2001 — AA Relay drivers accept new deal
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• About 200 drivers working for the Al have agreed to sign disputed new contracts with the firm, but sources close to the dispute claim that drivers are now leaving the organisation in droves.

The drivers, who all work for the company's Relay arm, had feared that the change of terms and conditions would leave them out of pocket by as much as 16,000 a year (CM12-18 April).

Following negotiations with the GMB union, basic pay has been kept at the same rate and overtime has been pegged at 113/hr. Drivers claim this will still cost them around £2,000 a year. They are pleased that the loss is smaller than originally feared but they remain unhappy about compulsory overtime of 400hrs a year, compulsory end-of-shift overtime and a working pattern that could force them to drive seven days in every nine. Recovery drivers are not bound by the drivers' hours regulations.

The contract change was accepted by a vote of 144 to 33—but it includes an option for drivers to leave the company with a 115,000 pay-off. AA insiders claim that a large proportion of drivers will take the money and leave.

One driver, who asked to remain anonymous, says: "It's all the experienced staff that are leaving. They will have to bring in people from agencies who don't realise that the members are number one."

A spokesman for the Al says that at present it has no figures for the number of drivers planning to leave. He adds: "It was necessary to have the review because the Relay operation had to be made more cost-effective and more able to serve the needs of our members."

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